Almost 20% of the school’s pupils receive financial support, with Winchester aiming to reach 25% by 2024. Behind this growth has been a long-standing relationship with design agency Contagious, and J Thomson Colour Printers in Glasgow, which first rejuvenated the journal in 2009.
What was produced?
With Contagious handling the design, J Thomson prints, finishes and mails each issue of 10,000 copies.
The most recent issue, measuring 243x169mm, ran with a four-page cover in full colour on Munken Polar Smooth 240gsm.
The magazine itself was then split, with pages 1-56 colour printed on Munken Polar Rough 120gsm, and 57-72 printed in black with 1 PMS colour throughout on Munken Pure Rough 90gsm stock.
Additional forms and letterheads were printed in black on 100gsm Munken Pure Rough.
What did the job entail?
Having sent Epson proofs to Winchester, Contagious’ senior artworker Neil Collier made the journey to pass the journal on press.
The journals and ancillary materials were then printed on J Thomson’s Koenig & Bauer Rapida B1 six-colour UV press, and perfect bound on a Muller Martini Alegro with PUR unit.
What challenges were overcome?
Dispatch presents the job’s largest challenge, explained Grant Hamilton, J Thomson’s account manager, with different combinations of pack mailed all over the world.
Hamilton added: “The address data had to be uploaded to our secure FTP site and live proofs for each pack were issued and approved before the fulfilment could start.”
High resultant postage costs make the choice of stock vital, said Matt Chapman, Contagious’ creative director.
The solution – a mix of 120, 90 and 100gsm stocks – was thus woven into the design as a “very useful” way of differentiating the sections of the journal, Chapman added.
What was the feedback?
In its 12-year existence, the reinvigorated journal has seen a massive increase in donations: in the past five years alone, donations have increased 50% on the previous five years.
The 2021 issue celebrated Winchester’s Vision for the 21st century, which has seen girl pupils attend the school for the first time in its 640- year history.
“The response to the vision has been extremely positive, and the journal has played a pivotal part conveying such a momentous milestone,” said Tamara Templer, Winchester’s deputy development director.
The magazine’s performance has also earned J Thomson high praise from Contagious.
“They’re one of our favourite suppliers,” said Jennifer Newell, Contagious’ production manager.
“They’re really on the ball, and care about the result: the print quality was of the usual high standard we expect, and was made even better by the fact that we can carbon balance the paper through J Thomson.”
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